Biden says deadly missile strikes are 'horrific reminder of Russia's brutality'

US President Joe Biden said on Monday that deadly Russian missile strikes in Ukraine, including on the main children's hospital in Kyiv, were "a horrific reminder of Russia's brutality."

Why it's important

Russia blasted the hospital in Kyiv with a missile in broad daylight on Monday and rained down missiles on other cities across Ukraine in the deadliest wave of air strikes for months.

At least 37 people were killed, including three children, with more than 170 wounded, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The strikes damaged nearly 100 buildings, including multiple schools and a maternity hospital, he added.

The air force said air defence systems downed 30 projectiles.

Zelensky said Russia launched dozens of missiles toward five towns and cities in southern and eastern Ukraine as well as the capital.

Washington has been the biggest supporter of Ukraine amid Russia's invasion that began in February 2022.

The US has provided Ukraine with more than $50 billion in military aid since 2022. As world leaders prepare to head to a NATO summit that starts on Tuesday in Washington, Ukraine has called on Kyiv's partners to give a firm response to Monday's attack.

Key quotes

"Russia's missile strikes that today killed dozens of Ukrainian civilians and caused damage and casualties at Kyiv's largest children’s hospital are a horrific reminder of Russia's brutality," Biden said in a statement released by the White House.

Biden added in his statement that Washington and its NATO allies will be announcing this week new measures to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses.

"It is critical that the world continues to stand with Ukraine at this important moment and that we not ignore Russian aggression," Biden said.

Context

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would retaliate and called on Kyiv's Western allies to give a firm response to the attack.

Moscow has repeatedly denied targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, although its attacks have killed thousands of civilians since it launched its invasion.

The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces had carried out strikes on defence industry targets and aviation bases in Ukraine.

France slams 'barbaric' attack

UN rights chief Volker Turk condemned the "abominable" Russian strikes, while the body's chief Antonio Guterres said attacking medical facilities was "particularly shocking", according to his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

The European Union slammed Moscow for its "ruthless" actions.

France's foreign ministry called the bombardment of a children's hospital "barbaric" and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the attack as "abhorrent".

Kyiv said the children's hospital had been struck by a Russian cruise missile with components produced in NATO member countries and announced a day of mourning in the capital.